Residents of Jayanagar and JP Nagar have a reason to smile. Karnataka’s Home and Transport minister R Ashoka inaugurated the renovated Chandragupta Maurya Playground on Saturday, May 19th, 2012. This playground is in Jayanagar 5th Block in 10th main.

This playground, popular as Shalini ground after an old hotel which is demolished now, has a skating rink, net practice space, auditorium, and concrete gallery steps around the playground. This playground will be used for outdoor activities like cricket, football and volleyball among others.

Children practicing cricket at newly inaugurated Chandragupta Maurya playground. Pic: Anisha Nair

This 6.5 acre playground is built three feet above the surface level. It took almost one and a half years and a budget of 1.5 crore rupees including leveling of the ground and all other works. There is a rainwater harvesting system installed in the playground above the auditorium.

The Vivekananda auditorium and theatre can be user for cultural activities and competitions like drawing, etc. The gallery steps around the ground can accommodate over 1500 people. The 25X65 m skating rink has tandoor blue marbles which are brought in from Andhra Pradesh.  

Children skating in Chandragupta Maurya playground. Pic: Anisha Nair

The ground will be maintained by the BBMP. The rent of the playground and auditorium for any tournament or competitions would be Rs. 1500. The registrations and bookings will be done in the Jayanagar BBMP office in II Block.

B Somashekhar, corporator, Jayanagar says, “This playground will be beneficial to a large section of the society as it has total facilities for almost all sports activities.”

For booking details, contact BBMP office, 9th cross, 9th Main, 2nd Block, Jayanagar. Ph: 26566362⊕